Dick's buys out Okemos sporting goods store

An area sporting goods store is converting into Dick's Sporting Goods after being acquired by the company in the summer. Galyan's Trading Co., located in the Meridian Mall in Okemos, officially converted Sunday, marking the beginning of a transition that will change all Galyan's stores into Dick's retailers. A temporary banner reading "Dick's Sporting Goods" hangs over the former Galyan's sign at the front entrance, and all employees wear Dick's name tags. "Essentially, Dick's has been growing significantly over the last many years, and by purchasing Galyan's, it gives us an additional 51 stores in generally great locations and gives us a new entry into some large metropolitan markets," said Jeffrey Hennion, senior vice president of strategic planning for Pittsburgh-based Dick's Sporting Goods.

Draganchuk should be Ingham judge

I am writing this letter in support of Joyce Draganchuk for Ingham County Circuit Court Judge. She is currently the chief assistant prosecutor here in Ingham County and has prosecuted over 100 jury trials in that court throughout her 16 years with that office.

U-M: Spartans not main Big Ten rival

As Spartans fans eagerly await Saturday's gridiron matinee with the University of Michigan, many Wolverines fans are already looking forward to playing The Ohio State University in November. "We hate them more than they hate us, because they beat us more," said Diane Shkreli, an MSU political science and pre-law junior.

Clarinet day to be celebrated Saturday

The School of Music is celebrating clarinet day on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Music Building.

Council ponders ways to restructure classes

Reports about possibly changing the way integrative studies and math and science classes are structured dominated the Academic Council meeting Tuesday.

Police briefs 10/27/04

Date for med school move still not set

A study detailing the financial impact of the move of part of the MSU College of Human Medicine to Grand Rapids will be released a few weeks behind schedule Friday. Although published reports from The Associated Press stated the school won't move until at least 2007, medical school and university officials deny the date of the possible move.

Bob Alexander

Age: 59 Party affiliation: Democrat Hometown: East Lansing Occupation: Candidate for U.S.

ASMSU begins push for degree program minors

ASMSU is discussing bringing undergraduate minors to MSU to diversify the rigid course work and degree requirements in some professional majors, such as business and engineering. "In other universities, all of the students have the inclination to take classes outside of their major," said Dan Weber, Academic Assembly chairperson.

Bye week freshens minds, bodies for U-M game

Although this is only his second year as MSU's head coach, John L. Smith knows the rivalry game against Michigan is the most important game of the year. And this season, the game is the best opportunity the Spartans (4-3 overall, 3-1 Big Ten) have to prove themselves. "This is what you look forward to - this is why athletics is so neat and why the game of football is so great, particularly college football," Smith said.

Kerry too wealthy to champion America's middle, lower classes

In just a few short days, college students across America are going to be hitting the polls to help elect the leader of the free world.

John Edwards

Age: 51 Party affiliation: Democrat Hometown: Born Seneca, S.C., grew up in Robbins, N.C. Occupation: North Carolina senator Education: Bachelor's from North Carolina State University, Law degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Experience: Senator from North Carolina (1998), former trial lawyer Family: Spouse Elizabeth; daughters Emma Claire and Cate; sons Jack and Wade.

Randall L. Pittman

Age: 50 Party affiliation: Republican Hometown: Ann Arbor Occupation: Chairman and chief executive officer, Ypsilanti-based Forest Health Services Corp., 1991-present Education: Bachelor's degree from MSU; master's degree from MSU Experience: Michigan State University Board of Trustees, 2002-present Family: Married; one daughter Web site: None • Will try to find a way to help the university connect to large number of students so there is more retention • Believes MSU must stay affordable to everyone in the state

MIDDAY UPDATE: Nov. 2 will see vote on same-sex unions with Prop. 2

Same-sex marriage and similar unions have been a major focus during the election season because on Nov.

Marilyn Kelly

Age: 66 Party affiliation: Democrat Hometown: Detroit Occupation: Supreme Court Justice (incumbent) Education: Bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University, law degree from Wayne State University Law School Experience: Former President of the Michigan State Board of Education; principal and owner of Marilyn Kelly & Associates in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan Court of Appeals, Michigan Supreme Court Family: Married Web site: kellyforjustice.com

Deborah Thomas

Age: 51 Party affiliation: Democrat Hometown: Detroit Occupation: Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Education: Bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and law degree from Valparaiso University Experience: Ten years as Wayne County Circuit Court Judge, 16 years as an attorney Family: Two children Web site: None

Leonard Schwartz

Age: 59 Party affiliation: Libertarian Hometown: Detroit Occupation: Retired professor of law and economics Education: Bachelor's degree from University of Chicago, Master's degree from Johns Hopkins University, law degree from Wayne State University Law School Experience: Taught at Oakland University, University of Michigan-Dearborn Family: Single Web site: schwartz45.com

Mike Rogers

Age: 41 Party affiliation: Republican Hometown: Brighton Occupation: U.S.

Joel I. Ferguson

Age: 65 Party affiliation: Democrat Hometown: Lansing Occupation: Real-estate developer Education: Bachelor's degree from MSU Experience: MSU Board of Trustees, 1986-present Family: Separated; five children Web site: None • Supports keeping tuition affordable for students. • Supports more board involvement in university decisions such as tailgating

Bill Hall

Age: 48 Party affiliation: Libertarian Hometown: Rockford Occupation: Commercial real estate attorney; partner with Warner, Norcross & Judd L.L.P. Education: Bachelor's degree from Wabash College; law degree from Northwestern University School of Law Experience: Real-estate lawyer/partner, more than 10-year chairman of firm's real-estate services group; 23 years of law practice; worked with nonprofit organization boards like Heartland Institute, Michigan Legal Foundation Family: Married; two sons Web site: None •: Focus on campus security •: Keeping tuition at a reasonable rate